Bruce Dean Welker
WEST LAFAYETTE: Bruce Dean Welker, 68, of West Lafayette passed away at his home at 12:35 a.m., Sunday, October 31, 2010.
Born October 25, 1942 in Zanesville, he was the son of the late Bruce William and Marie A. (Campton) Welker.
A 1960 graduate of New Concord High School, Dean served as a Specialist 4 in the U. S. Army from October 7, 1966 to October 4, 1968 with overseas duty in Vietnam where he was a sheet metal helicopter crash repairman.
His early employment was at the former Bown's Plumbing-Heating, Wagner's Supply, Jones Metals and for 40 years was a contractor for Welker Brothers Construction retiring in 2004. Dean's memberships included the Otsego United Methodist Church, AmVets Post #36, and was a lifetime member of the Coshocton Sportsman's Club and the Newcomerstown Trap Club. He had served as a volunteer fireman on the Adamsville and West Lafayette Fire Departments. Dean also was a founding member of the Coshocton County React Association.
On May 24, 1964 he married Martha Rae Shroyer who preceded him in death on September 29, 1991. On March 20, 1992 he married Edith Marie (Fisher) Ross who survives along with two sons, Michael D. (Melissa) Welker, Newcomerstown, Darin R. (Shirley Wagner) Welker, West Lafayette; six daughters, Penny (Dean) Smith, Candy Dickerson, Connie Carson, Becky (Earl) Bosson all of Coshocton, Roberta (Mario) Castillo, Crosby, Texas, Lois (Arthur) Gluyas, Stow; 14 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Nelda Baker, Sarahsville; and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, November 4, 2010 at the Free Funeral Home, Coshocton with Rev. C.E. Easterday officiating. Interment will follow at Fairfield Cemetery, West Lafayette. Military Honors will be conducted by the Coshocton County Veterans Council.
Calling hours will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 3, 2010 and until time of services on Thursday at the Free Funeral Home.
Memoriums may be made to Hospice of Coshocton County, P.O. Box 1284, Coshocton or the Relay For Life Coshocton Hospital Oncology Team, c/o Jackie Mason, 1460 Orange St., Coshocton, Ohio 43812. Envelopes are available at the Free Funeral Home.